Now what for the Wisconsin Badgers? This is what plenty of people are asking themselves following the 42-10 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 10. Luke Fickell and Co. are now on a bye this week, which couldn't come at a better time.
No. 1 Oregon is on the schedule next and with this game being a primetime one set to be televised nationally by NBC, there's extra pressure for Fickell and his staff. The stands will be packed in Madison, but will a close contest be on the way?
Wisconsin played Penn State close, but some mental mistakes caused them to fall. Countless supporters are calling for Fickell to make a change at quarterback. Indeed, those people want QB Braedyn Locke to hit the bench in favor of freshman signal-caller Mabrey Mettauer. However, that can't happen.
Luke Fickell can't bench Braedyn Locke for the Wisconsin vs. Oregon game
Yes, there is a ton of excitement surrounding Mettauer's future with the Badgers. He signed with Fickell as a four-star prospect out of high school, ranked the No. 31 QB in the country for his class. This kid can really sling it and down the road, yes, he's going to see significant playing time for Wisconsin.
However, this is No. 1 Oregon we're talking about, a Big Ten powerhouse with a fierce defense. Do you really want to rock Mettauer's confidence by having him face the best team in the country on short notice? Yeah, absolutely not.
Locke may have consistency issues, but he's the best option for this team right now against the Ducks. He needs to take care of the football, though, as he has thrown an interception in six consecutive games, which is inexcusable.
In the loss to Penn State, Locke's pick-six was back-breaking. Then vs. the Hawkeyes, his two picks were downright infuriating. Late in the season, it might be time to give Mettauer a closer look, but Fickell simply can't send him out to run the offense from the start vs. Oregon. He's got to rock with Locke again.